What's Up With The NFL's Premature Touchdown Celebration Problem?

It is perplexing to see NFL players commit the same mistake repeatedly when there are numerous highlights documenting the miscue for the football world to see. 

That is why I am baffled by two examples of recent players dropping the ball before crossing the goal line, especially when seeing it cost their teams points and wins by attempting to showboat on a potential touchdown, as Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and Cardinals running back Emari Demercado have already done this season.

As a former NFL player who loved celebrating big plays as a youth, high school and collegiate player, I understand the adrenaline rush of crossing the goal line and the cultural reaction to cool celebratory acts that follow a score.

After watching Billy "White Shoes" Johnson perform the "funky chicken" as his touchdown celebration in the 1970s, I could not wait to score touchdowns as a youth and high school football player so I could show off my own celebratory dance in the end zone. Though flamboyant celebrations were banned at the time, the potential "cool points" gained from a creative celebration prompted my youth and high school teammates to spend countless hours choreographing our touchdown dances. 

Considering how art imitates life, I understand why young players mimic what they see on Sundays. However, some boundaries should be respected, and an individual celebration should never negatively impact the team. Those sentiments are frequently uttered by coaches at every level, particularly in the NFL, where points are coveted at a premium. Despite the NFL’s loosening of the celebration rules, head coaches will discuss the parameters throughout training camp to ensure every player understands what he is allowed to do following a big